§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many workers in Northern Ireland now earn less than the Council of Europe's decency threshold.
§ Dr. BoysonThe New Earnings Survey indicates that in April 1984 about 37.5 per cent of full-time adult employees in Northern Ireland had gross weekly earnings for a full week of less than £108.3, the latter figure corresponding to 68 per cent. of the national average for all full-time adult employees. Although an advisory committee of the Council of Europe has suggested the figure of 68 per cent. of national full-time adult average earnings as significant in considering low pay, the figure has not been accepted or recognised by the United Kingdom or any other European country.